Alone

Diether was unable to learn the reason behind why he was being followed as his fellow passengers had dealt with them.

At the very least, the coachman recognizes their tattoos and managed to identify them…

"They're the Fog Mountain Bandits?"

"Aren't they a bit too weak?"

"I remember that they also came from the town…"

"They disguised and entered the town then followed our carriage."

"I don't think that we offended them…"

The group, except Diether, was speculating the reason behind the bandit's sudden attack.

"Perhaps…"

The middle-aged man wearing a thick faded red cloak who eliminated the bowmen hiding in the tall grass a while ago suddenly looked at Diether. The others followed as they thought of something.

Diether can only speak whatever in his mind.

"I'm not sure as well… I only bumped with the hooded guy they're trying to kill yesterday… They might have thought that I'm friends with him…"

"I see…"

"Anyway, I don't think that there are any more problems…"

"Very well… Let me just calm the horses…"

Luckily, the others didn't think too much of it. It was enough that they have some guesses. They continued their journey towards the south and they no longer had any troubles.

It was a good thing that these people weren't simple…

"Sir Tristan, are you going to deal with the Fog Mountain people?" The youngest of them suddenly asked the cloaked middle-aged man…

The way he was being addressed reminded Diether of something…

"No… We don't have time for them. They also have protection from a certain group. It wouldn't be easy. Sigh~ We also have other things we need to do…"

Diether then noticed the sheath of the knife on Tristan's waist. It has an exquisite design of the burning sun…

'Is it the Sun Fire Knights?'

Tristan seems to have noticed that Diether was looking so he smiled at him.

"Are you interested in my knife?"

"Oh… Sorry… I just found the emblem familiar…"

"Right… I'm not really hiding it. As you can see… I'm from the Sun Fire Knight… This is my apprentice Lani…"

Tristan placed his hand on the shoulder of the young man as he introduced him. Lani was about twenty years old and he seems to be a bit old to still be called an apprentice.

It was common to see a twenty-year-old knight in this small kingdom.

'Oh… Those are for nobles…'

Diether then remembered that commoners can also become a Knight but it takes a bit longer. Lani might be one of those cases.

"Sir… I'm Selani…"

The man reminded the Knight as if he hated being called Lani. He also smiled at him so he can only similarly introduce himself.

"I'm Diether… I'm---"

He was thinking whether he would introduce himself as a One-Star Hunter. It wasn't like it was a secret but he thought that it would be best to hide his strength for now. It also felt a bit good being protected at times.

"I'm on my way to Farahn Village. I just ran an errand at the town…"

"Really? We're also going to the village!"

"Oh…"

Diether was surely surprised… But he suddenly thought of the Wailing Forest. They might be planning to hunt some particular beast or look for some rare herbs that can be found further inside the forest.

"Well, we are looking for promising kids to recruit in our Knight's Order…"

Diether was surprised to hear this. The other passengers were similarly interested as they listened.

"We were told that we can easily find talented kids living in some dangerous areas in the kingdom. The Wailing Forest is one of them so we plan to visit all the villages nearby to find some seedlings…"

"I see…"

Diether wasn't sure about the internal system of the Knight's Order but he was impressed with how they expand their search for talents.

It was unlike the Arcanist Association who only accepts those who graduated from the academy or the Hunter Association, which just waits for someone to apply for a license in their branch.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the village. Diether and the other two alighted.

The coachman then continued their way in a different direction to visit the other villages. The other passengers had a different destination so the young man can only say his goodbyes to the coachman. Their encounter was brief but because they were all attacked by a group of bandits, he had gotten a bit closer to them.

Diether also separated from the two Sun Fire Knights as he returned to the inn he was staying at.

He was greeted by Yasmin and Aunt Jaz as he was offered to have a meal. He wasn't hungry and was instead looking for a fresh and long bath!

"Master… Should I go to the Association and complete some missions?"

Diether asked after taking a bath.

Reiji thought for a bit… He currently has four missions on his list but it is not like it has an expiration or something. He can complete them or work on them at any time.

"Alright… Take some low-rank missions for now… Just leave me here and bring your new sword… You need to get used to it…"

"Yes?"

"…"

"A-alright, master…"

Diether felt a bit worried that he would no longer be within the presence of his master while he's hunting.

This is the first time that his master would allow him to go out without bringing him!

'Oh no… Can I really do this? What if a strong Evil Beast just suddenly appeared?'

He panicked but he tried not to show it from his master…

Reiji had obviously sensed his nervous state. However, he trusts the young man… He knows that his strength would be considered above average at this point. The kendo technique he learned would allow him to gain an upper hand in close fights… After adding his good control in his Spiritual Energy, there shouldn't be any real trouble as long as he treads carefully within the forest.

The young man even learned some throwing knife techniques from Yasmin which can be used in emergencies… There were also potions he bought from the apothecary that could aid him in his hunts.

"Alright, master… I will do my best."

Diether said firmly although he was lacking some confidence. However, Reiji was sure that the young man would have his confidence renewed after he completes his missions for today.

"I know that you can do it…"

Reiji gave his blessings to the young man as the latter went to the Hunter's Association to accept some tasks alone.